Filing device



' May 26,1936. D. A. BEELER FILING DEViCE Filed Nov 21, 19s2 sSheets-Sheet 1 g v II g 'mzaz lafiwzek WM,

May 26, 1936. D A, BEELER 2,042,167

FILING DEVICE Filed Nov. 21, 1932 I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 26, 1936.

, I I I 250 I 214 D. A. BEELER 67 FILING DEVICE Filed Nov. 21, 1932 3Sheets-Sheet 3 520672259: DaiZdZci .Eeeler,

Patented May 26, 1936 PATENT OFFICE FILING DEVICE Donald A. Beeler,Winnetka, n1., assignor to Antomatic File & Index Company, Chicago,Ill-y a corporation of Delaware Application November 21, 1932, SerialNo. 643,585

25 Claims.

The present invention relates to filing devices.

Among the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel filingdevice having novel means for securing and holding one or more spacerguides or other filing members in their operative positions.

In filing devices of the type herein disclosed,

it has been the practice heretofore to provide each of the spacermembers or guides witha looped or other similar member pivotally securedadjacent the lower edge thereof, and which was adapted to receive asecuring rod extending through a plurality of these loops for holdingthe spacer members in their operative position in a filing cabinet orthe like. In practice, however, this particular manner of securing thesespacers in position has certain distinct disadvantages which do notpermit the ready and easy manipulation of the filing device. In theseexisting structures the securing rod which extends through a series orplurality of these looped lugs cannot be easily removed because of theshifting weight of the panels and the binding of the rod in the hingedloops carried by the spacer guides or members. As a matter of fact, itis almost impossible, where a large number of spacer members or guidesis used, to even move this red. In a filing device of this type, it isfurther almost impossible to insert this securing rod through a seriesof aligned loops, especially where a large number of spacer members orguides is to'be used, and when it becomes necessary to insert the rod,it is necessary to guide the same through one loop at a time.

Furthermore, where a filing device of this type is in active use andwhere it becomes necessary to add and remove a large number of spacerguides or members daily, this insertion and removal of the securing rodrequires a considerable amount of time, effort and labor, and greatlydecreases the 'eflicie'ncy of the operation of a system including thesefiling devices. And again, the hinged loops are so constructed andattached to the securing rod that when the spacer guides or membersangle in either direction from the vertical, these hinged loops bindagainst the securing rod, which prevents the movement of these spacermembers or guides over the red tially ninety degrees in a forward orrearward direction from the vertical, thereby limiting its adaptabilityfor all types of filing devices.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novelfiling device in which the above disadvantages are eliminated and 5which comprehends novel means whereby the spacer members or guides maybe easily inserted or removed, as desired.

A still further object of the present invention is,.to -provide a novelsecuring means whereby l0 spacer guides or other filing members may bereleasably held in association with one another in suitable spacedrelation and easily moved when one or more thereof are removed from orintroduced into their active filing position and to hold the same intheir operative position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a filing devicehaving novel means whereby adjacent spacer members or guides may beeasily and readily moved apart sufllclently to 0 provide an opening forone or more spacer members to be inserted. Also, the present inventioncomprehends the idea of providing a novel securing means whereby one ormore spacers may be readily removed from the device and adjacent spacermembers or guides moved into close association to provide an operativestructure for receiving material or indices between adjacent spacermembers.

The present invention comprehends the idea of providing novel securingmeans for spacer members or guides in a filling device or the like,which is provided with a supporting member for these spacer members,such means comprising a projecting element associated with oneof themembers and spaced elements associated with the other of the members forreceiving the projecting element and for holding the spa member inassociation with the supporting ember.. More particularly, the inventionincludes the idea of providing such a securing means with resilientoppositely disposed elements for receiv-' ing the projecting elementwhereby the spacer member may be releasably secured in association withthe supporting member.

Still a. further object of the present invention is to provide a novelfiling device having means for releasably securing a plurality of.spacer guides v or members therein, whereby the same may be moved orswung forwardly or rearwardly of the vertical, these spacer guides beingprovided with means substantially above the securing means whereby thesame may be readily removed or inserted in position. More particularly,these spacer members are formed with an opening imopening betweenadjacent members for receiving a spacer member to be inserted, or toclose up a similar opening where a spacer member has been removed,thereby providing a device which is readily adjusted to form a compactassembly of material to be filed.

As is common in the art, a securing means contemplated by the presentinvention includes novel means whereby the spacer membersmay be movedforwardly or rearwardly of the vertical.

Still another object of the present invention is -to provide a novelsecuring means for spacer guides or members in a filing device or thelike, in which the spacer guides are releasably held in their operativeposition, such securing means being constructed so as to receive asecuring or locking rod, if desired.

The present invention further contemplates the idea of providing a novelcompressor block or member for a plurality of operatively positionedspacer guides which are formed with a securing element, such novelcompressor block or member having an element adapted to have substantialsurface contact with the securing element of the end spacer guide ormember of a series or group, whereby the securing element is maintainedin its proper operative position.

Other objects, features, capabilities and 'advantages are comprehendedby the invention, as

will later appear and as are inherently possessed i made in accordancewith the present invention;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in perspective similar to Figure 2 of thedrawings, with the parts of the securing means in engagement;

Figure 4 is a fragmentar' view in cross-section taken in the planerepresented byline 44 of Figure 3 of the drawings;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in perspective simflar to Figure 3 of thedrawings, disclosing means for positively locking the spacer members inthe filing device;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view partly in crossdrawings.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary view in vertical cross-section taken in aplane represented byline Ill-l0 of Figure 9 of the drawings;,

Figure 11 is a fragmentary view taken in a plane represented by linelI-ll of Figure 9 of the drawings;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary view of a securing means partly incross-section and partly in elevation disclosing still a furthermodified form thereof;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary view in cross-section taken in the planerepresented by line I3-l3 of Figure 12 of the drawings;

Figures 14 and 15 are fragmentary views partly in cross-section andpartly in elevation, similar to those disclosed in Figures 6 and '7 ofthe drawings, showing modified forms of the securing means;

. Figures 16 and 1'7 are fragmentary views in cross-section throughspacer guides disclosing novel means for interlocking the securingelements thereof;

V, Figure 18 is a fragmentary view partly in cross- 5 section and partlyin endelevation disclosing still perspective disclosing a portion of thefiling cabinet with a compressor block or member in associationtherewith;

Figure 23 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal cross-section throughthestructures shown in Figures 21 and 22 of the drawings, disclosing anovel compressor member made in accordance with the" present invention;and

Figure 24 is a view partly in cross-section and partly in elevationtaken in the plane represented by line 24-24 of Figure 23 of thedrawings.

Referring now more in detail to the drawings, an embodiment selected toillustrate the present invention is shown in Figures 2 to 4 inclusive ofthe drawings, and which is adapted for use in a filling device 2 asshown in Figure 1 of the This filing device 2 comprises acabinet 4suitably supported upon the legs 6, this cabinet 4 being provided with abottom supporting member 8 and an expansible front panel in, a cover 12being provided and being suitably hinged to the device, whereby the samemay be opened into the position as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings andconnections being provided for at the same time moving the front panelIn into its expanded position.

Disposed within the cabinet 4 is a plurality of spacer members or guidesl4 adapted to receive material to be filed therebetween and for properlyseparating the same from other material to v be filed between succeedingor successive adjacent spacer members l4.

In order to; introduce or insert additional spacer members 14 in thecabinet 4, as well as to remove those spacers not desired, suitablesecuring means may be provided to releasably hold these'spacer guides l4in association with the supporting member 8, whereby the same may beinserted or removed, yet held in theirproper position and moved towardor away from one another, as occasion demands. Such means in the presentembodiment comprises a securing lug l6 associated with each of thespacer guides l4 and which is adapted to be received between the beadededges I8 of oppositely disposed securing elements 20 and 22 which may besecured to the bottom wall of a depressed portion 24 formed in thesupporting member 8, as by means of spot welding or the like. Thesecuring member I6 in the present embodiment is formed with a centralenlarged projecting member 26 formed with a restricted portion 28forming shoulders adapted to receive the beaded edge I8 of the members20 and 22. This securing element or lug I6 is further provided withoppositely disposed and laterally extending trunnions 30 received in thetubular bearing or hinged portions 32 and 34 of a plate 36 secured asshown adjacent the lower edge of the spacer guide and substantiallycentrally thereof. This plate 36 may comprise a single sheet of metalblanked to conform to the desired shape and size, and may be bent alongits medial axis to provide the tubular portions 32 and 34 and the sideextensions disposed on opposite sides of the spacer guide or member I4,portions of the plate on one side of the spacer member I4 being punchedto provide flanged portions 38 engaging the peripheral portions of anoppositely disposed opening, all as disclosed, for securing the spacerI4. I

As clearly disclosed in Figure 3 of the draw ings, the enlarged portion26 of each of the lugs I6 is received in the elongated slot formed byand between the members 20 and 22 and the restricted portion thereof isgripped by the resilient edge portion of these members, whereby thespacer guides may be readily inserted into or removed from theiroperative position. When the lug I6 is in the position as shown inFigure 3, the same may be slid in the slot between members 20 and 22,whereby adjacent spacer guides may be moved apart to provide an openingfor receiving a lug of a spacer member or guide being introduced intothe cabinet therebetween. Normally, however, these lugs I6 are in closecontiguous relation, as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings, and are movedonly when spacer guides are being removed from or introduced into thecabinet.

In order to provide for the easy insertion of a spacer guide I4, theplate 36 is provided with an opening 40 conforming to a similar openingprovided adjacent the lower edge of the spacer guide I4, this opening 40being substantially above the lug I6 whereby a finger may be insertedtherein for pulling upwardly on the spacer I4 to remove the same fromits engaging relation with the supporting member 8, or for pressing downupon the upper surface of the lug I6 for introducing the same betweenthe head of. the-members 20 and 22. It will therefore be readily seenthat such novel securing means provides an arrangement whereby thespacers may be used in a filing device of a vertical or horizontal type,and in which spacer members may be removed or introduced at will. 'Whendesired, the embodiment disclosed in Figures 2 to 4 inclusive may beprovided with a lug 31 conforming substantially to the lug I6 this platemember 36 to removal or r locking a series of spacer members in place sothat one or more spacer members maybe removed from or introduced intothe filing device only after the rod 4| has been removed or displaced toa position whereby this operation may be efiected.

Figure 6 of the drawings discloses an alternative construction in whichthe spacer member I4 has a plate 42 secured thereto along its loweredge, this plate 42 being formed with spaced tu-- bular bearing portions44 and 46 which are received in the channel'48 of a plate 50 formed withan enlarged slot 52 in the bottom plate of the channel portion 48. Inthis embodiment, the trunnions 44 and 46 movably and pivotally support alug 54 which is adapted to extend through the slot 52 and be engaged bythe securing members 56 and 58 having the resilient beaded portions 60and 62, respectively, the beaded portions being adapted to engage therestricted part of the lug 54, all in accordance with the previouslydescribed embodiment. As previously disclosed, the plate 42, as well asthe spacer I4, is formed with aligned openings 64 whereby the spacerguides may be removed from and inserted in operative position.

In Figure '7 of the drawings the spacer members I4 are each providedwith a plate 66 apertured at 68 to conform with a similar aperture inthe spacer guide l4, this plate 66 being formed with a, single tubularbearing portion 10 adapted to receive a single trumiion of a securinglug I2 movably or pivotally supported therein. The lug 12 has aprojecting portion conforming to the lug 54 and is adapted to bereceived between the resilient beaded edges 14 and 16 of members I8 andwhich conform substantially to the members 56 and 58 of the embodimentshown in Figure 6 of the drawings.

In Figure 8 of the drawings, each of the spacer members I4 is providedwith a plate 82 having a cut-out portion 84 conforming substantially toa cut-out formed along the lower edge of the member I4, this plate beingprovided with spaced 'tubular bearings 86 and 88 for receiving trunnionsof 9. lug 90, this lug varying from the previously disclosed lugs inthat its enlarged end portion 92 is substantially spherical in shape.

In Figures 9, 10 and 11 of the drawings, each of the spacer members I4has a plate 94 secured thereto along the lower edge, the plate beingformed with a tubular bearing portion 96 adapted to receive a securingmember 98 formed with a central journal portion I00 adapted to bereceived within the tubular bearing 96, the substantially cubicalsecuring elements I02 and I04 being secured to the laterally extendingportions of the central portion I00, which cubical portions are spacedin relation to the lower edge of the spacer guide I4 so as to receiveoppositely disposed ledges I06 and I08, these ledge members forming alongitudinal slot or opening I I0 therebetween for receiving the plate94. In this embodiment, the spacer members I4 are first turned at anangle to the longitudinal axis of the slot IIO, whereby the securingmember 98 may be received betweenthe ledges I06 and I08. after which thespacer member I4 may be moved into a position substantially normal tothe longitudinal axis of this slot, at which time the securing elementsI02 and I04 are locked beneath the ledges I06 and I08, respectively, forholding the spacer In Figure 12 of the drawings, each of the spacerguides has a plate II2 secured adjacent its lower edge, these plates H2having a cut-out portion H4 conforming to a similar cut-out portionprovided in the guide I4. In this embodiment, the plate H2 is formedwith spaced tubular portions H6 and H8 which are received in a channelI20 formed by-the plates I22 and I24, these plates I22 and I24 providingan elongated slot I26 therebetween which is substantially central- 1ydisposed relative to the channel I20. The tubular bearing portions H6and II8 are adapted to receive the trunnions of a securing lug I28 whichis formed with a stud I30 adapted to rotatively carry a securing blockor head I32, the block or head I32 being of a width in one direction asshown in Figure 13, whereby the same may be inserted through the slotI26. The width of the block in a direction normal thereto issubstantially greater than the width of the slot I26, whereby this blockI32, when rotated, will engage with the portions of the channel I20adjacent the slot I26 to prevent removal of these spacer guides. When itis desired to remove these spacer guides, a suitable opening may beprovided adjacent the guide to be removed, and a finger inserted throughor moved into engagement with the slot I26 to move the block I32 throughninety degrees, after which the same may pass upwardly through the slotI26.

In Figure 14, each of the spacer guides I4 is provided with a plate I80having a cut-out portion I82 substantially coextensive with a similarcut-out provided along the lower edge of the spacer member I4. Thisplate I80 is formed with spaced tubular bearing portions I83 and I84which project below the lower edge of the guide' portion engaged by thebeaded edges I92 and I94. I

The plates I88 and I80 are secured to a channelshaped supporting member200 and the edges of these plates which are formed with the beads I92and I94 are cantilevered over the channel of the member 200 andresiliently grip the scour-- ing lug I98 whereby the spacers I4 may beeasily released therefrom or inserted therein.

In Figure 15 of the drawings, the structure corresponds in allessentials to that of Figure 14 of the drawings, with the exception thatthe plates 202 and 204 corresponding tothe supporting-plates I88 and I80of that embodiment are formed with a beaded edge provided with the planelug engaging flanges 206 and 208, respectively. The projecting lug 2I0of this embodiused within the spirit of: the invention.

In Figures 18 and 19 of the drawings, each of the spacer guides I4 has aplate I34 secured adjacent its lower edge, this plate being prothebeaded vided with a cut-out portion I36 coextensive with a similarcut-out portion provided in the guide I4. The plate I34 is provided withspaced tubular bearing portions I38 and I40 adapted to piv- .otallyjournal a securing element I42 in association therein. In the presentembodiment, thissecuring element I 42 is formed from a single piece ofresilient wire which is substantially semi-circular in cross section andis bent intermediate its ends and folded upon itself to providetrunnions I44 and I46 which are received within the tubular portions I38and I40, respectively. The free ends of this piece of wire are bent intosubstantially contiguous relation in the form of an arc to provideoppositely disposed resilient securing elements adapted to receive aprojecting element I48 secured to the supporting plate I50. Theprojecting element I48 is formed from a single piece of material and isprovided with an enlarged head I52 adapted to pass between the ends ofthe securing element I42 and be received in the opening I54. As in thepreviously de scribed embodiments, such securing means provides areleasable connection-between the spacer guide or member and the cabinetor supporting means with which the same may be associated, and thesespacer members may be slid along the projecting element I48, as desired.

, InFigure 20 or the drawings, the spacer member I4 has a plate I68secured thereto which is fof d with a cut-out portion I10 conformingsubstantially to a similar cut-out provided along the lower edge of theguide I4. This plate I68 is formed with spaced tubular bearing portionsI12 and I14 adapted-to pivotally support a securing element I16 which isformed from a single piece of resilient wire bent to provide a centralenlarged eye or lug I18 which may be received between resilient securingelements, as shown in Figures 2 to 7 inclusive.

When desired, any of the spacer lugs hereinbefore referred to may beformed with interlocking means for locking adjacent lugs in theiroperative position. As disclosed in Figure 16 of the drawings, thespacer lugs 205 may be pro-- vided with a centrally disposed andtransversely extending groove 201 on one face thereof adapted to receivethe projection 208 of the next adjacent lug 205. Each of these lugs2051s similarly constructed, and when the same is received betweenresilient securing elements, the interengagement of the tongue 209 inthe groove 201'of an adjacent lug positively locks a series of spacermembers in position. It is of com'se understood that when a spacer is tobe removed or inserted, a suitable space between adjacent lugs isnecessary in order to effect this interlocking engagement of adjacentlugs.

In Figure 1'7 is disclosed an altemive construction for spacer lugswhereby adjacent lugs may be efl'ectively locked in position. In thisembodiment, the lugs 2 are formed on one face thereof with an undercutshoulder 2I3 and with a projecting portion 2I5 adapted to extend beneaththe shoulder 2I3 of an. adjacent lug for locking these lugs together.When these lugs are inserted in or removed from their operativeposition, suitable space between the same is provided wherebythis-interlocking engagement between the proiecting portion 2I8 and theshoulder 2| 3 may be effected.

In order to properly position a plurality of spacer guides or members asshown in Figure 1 of the drawings, a compressor block or member 2I2 isprovided at the rear end portion of the embodiment as shown in Figures 2to 4 inclusive being shown in association with the compressor member M2.The compressor member 2 is maintained in its various operative positionsby means of a clutch mechanism, generally referred to as 220, and whichcomprises a plunger 222 slidable in a guiding plate 224 secured to theback face of the compressor plate 2| 4 and substantially at its centralaxis. This plunger 222 is provided with a handle 226 at its upper end,between which'and a rearwardly disposed fiange 228 provided on thecompressor plate 214 is disposed a coil spring 230, this coil springbeing maintained in its proper position by means of a tubular housing232 secured to the plate 2".-

The central portion of this plunger 226 is disposed substantiallyparallel to the compressor plate 2, while the lower end 236 of the sameis bent so as to have substantial surface contact with a securing lug l6of the end spacer guide 238 of a series. This substantial surfacecontact is desirable in order to prevent tipping or angular displacementof the securing lug l6, whichwould cause difficulty in sliding thesesecuring lugs l6 over the elongated slot between the beaded edge l8 ofmembers 20 and 22, and would decrease the efiiciency of the system. Thelower end 236 of the plunger 222 is adapted to selectively project intoany one of the plurality of spaced slots 240 provided between themembers 20 and 22 and in the channel 24 of the member 8, and is urgedinto this engaging relation under the impulse of coil spring 230. Thecompressor member H2 is held in position by the plunger 222 and thesupporting plate 2l8, the plate 2| 8 being of sufiicient width toprevent tipping of the compressor member when the plunger engages in anyof the selected slots 240.

In operating a filing device of the type disclosed in Figure 1 of thedrawings, which may be provided with the compressor member 2l2, theplunger 222 of the compressor member normally engages the end lug l6 ofa, series for maintaining these lugs in their contiguous relation, asshown in Figure 23 of the drawings. The lug at the other end of thisseries is adapted to abut over a substantial portion of surface with ablock or abutment which may be provided at the other end of the cabinet4. These spacer members I 4 are therefore efiectively held in positionand not only are suitably spaced but are adapted tov be moved forwardlyor rearwardly of the vertical about the lugs. when it is desired toremove one or more of the spacer members from the device, the plunger222 may be moved upwardly and out of engagement with the slot 240 andslid rearwardly relative to the spacer members. The selected spacermember I! may then be engaged through the medium of the opening providedimmediately above its securing ing,

member. When a spacer member is introduced a into the cabinet 4, thereverse operation may be effected to provide a suitable opening forreceiving the lug of the spacer member to be introduced.

After the same has been removed,

From the above, it will be readily apparent that any one of thedisclosed embodiments will provide a novel filing device wherein thespacer members or guides may be readily inserted in and removed from thecabinet of this filing device. The securing lugs in each of theembodiments are releasably secured between the securing elements and thespacer guides are swingable or hinged in relation to the supportingmember therefor, whereby the securing means may be used in filingsystems irrespective of whether or not the same be of the vertical,horizontal, orother and varied types of devices. It will also beappreciated that the securing means is adapted either for spacing guidesor other filing members of a filing device or system.

While I have herein described and upon the drawings'shown illustrativeembodiments of the device, it is to be understood that the invention isnot limited thereto but may comprehend other constructions, arrangementsof parts, details and features without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

I claim:

1. In a filing device, the combination of a plurality of spacer members,a supporting member therefor, a projection having shoulders provided oneach of said spacer members, means on said supporting member forengaging said shoulders to hold said spacer members in association withsaid supporting member, and means cooperating with adjacent projectionsfor locking the same together.

jections having interlocking means.

3. In a filing device, the combination of a spacer member, a supportingmember therefor,

a projecting element associated with one of said members, and resilientelements each having an edge connected to the other of said members andterminating in spaced relation to each other and to said other member toprovide a slot for receiving said projecting element, said resilientelements engaging said projecting element for holding said spacer memberin association with said supporting member.

4. In a filing device, the combination of a spacer member, a supportingmember therefor, a projecting element associated with one of saidmembers, and resilient releasable means associated with the other ofsaid members for engaging said projecting element for holding saidspacer member in association with said supporting member, said spacermember being provided with fingerengaging means whereby said projectingelement may be removed from engaging relation with said means. I

5. In a filing device, the combination of a spacer member, a supportingmember therefor, a projecting element associated with one of saidmembers, and resilient releasable means associated with the other ofsaid'members for engaging said projecting element for holding saidspacer mem- I ber in associationv with said supporting member. saidspacer member being provided .with a cut-out portion for receiving afinger whereby said pro-.

jecting element may be removed from engagin relation with said means.

6. In a filing device, the combination of a plurality of spacer members,a projecting element carried by each of said members substantiallycentrally and adjacent the lower edge thereof for spacing andpositioning said spacer members, and

5;; means for releasably engaging said projecting elements, said meansincluding oppositely disposed resilient elements spaced to provide anelongated slot whereby said projecting elements may slide along saidslot.

; 7. In a filing device, the combination of a plurality of spacermembers, a projecting element pivotally secured to each of said memberssubstantially centrally and adjacent the lower edge thereof for spacingand positioning said spacer :members, and means for releasably engagingsaid projecting elements, said means including oppositely disposedresilient elements spaced to provide an elongated slot whereby saidprojectingelements may slide along said slot.

8. In a filing device, the combination of a spacer member, a lugpivotally carried by said member substantially centrally and adjacentthe lower edge thereof for spacing and positioning said spacer members,said lug having a projecting portion formed with shoulders, and meansfor releasably engaging said projecting'portion, said means includingoppositely disposed resilient elements engaging said shoulders.

9. In a filing device, the combination of a spacer member, a lugpivotally carried by said member, said lug having a projecting portionformed with shoulders, means for releasably engaging said projectionportion, said means including oppositely disposed resilient elementsengaging said shoulders, said spacer members having means substantiallycentrally disposed relative to said lug adapted to be engaged wherebysaid lug can be inserted into and removed from said releasably engagingmeans.

40 10. In a filing device, the combination of a spacer member, a lugpivotally carried by said member, said lug having a projecting portion.formedwith shoulders, and means for releasably engaging said projectingportion, said means in- '45 eluding oppositely disposed resilientelements engaging said shoulders, said member having an opening adjacentsaid lug for receiving a finger whereby said lug may be inserted in andremoved from said means.

60 11. Ina filing device, the combination of a spacer member, meansprojecting from the lower 5 spacer member in relation thereto.

12. In a filing device, the combination of a plurality of spacer membersprovided with securing lugs, means for-engaging said lugs for holdingsaid spacer members whereby said lugs are slid- 7o ably connectedthereto,and means slidable relative to said lugs for maintaining thesame in contiguous relation, saidlast named means including a membermovable relative thereto and having a part in substantially parallelrelation to the con- 75 tacting faces of said lugs and havingsubstantial spacer members in position, and means movable relative tosaid compressor and having a part 10 disposed in substantially parallelrelation to the contacting faces of said lugs and having substantialsurface contact with the end lug of a series of spacers for holding saidlugs in their normal operative position. l 15 14. In a filing device,the combination of a plu rality of spacer members provided with securinglugs, means for engaging said lugs for holding said spacer members, acompressor member for bolding said spacer members in position, and aplun- 2 ger associated with said compressor member having a portiondisposed in parallel relation to the plane of the contacting faces ofsaid lugs and adapted to have substantial surface contact with the endlug 'of a series of spacers for .holding said 2 lugs in their normaloperative position.

15. A securing lug for a spacer member, comprising an integrallyformedmember having a laterally extending trunnion portion and an enlargedprojecting portion formed with shoulders. 30

jacent the lower edge thereof for spacing and positioning said spacermembers and provided with shoulders, a supporting member for said spacermember, and means on said supporting member adapted to resilientlyengage said shoulders' whereby said projecting member may be snappedinto place and held and removed therefrom at will, said means providinga slot whereby said spacer member may be moved therealong as desired toadjust the position thereof.

18. In a filing device, the combination of a spacer member, a memberpivotally connected thereto and projecting therefrom substantiallycentrally and adjacent the lower edge thereof for spacing andpositioning said spacer members, said projecting member having anenlarged portion with adjacently disposed providing oppositely disposedshoulders, a supporting member for said spacer member, oppositelydisposed resilient members secured tosaid supporting member in spacedrelation thereon, said resilient members engaging said shoulders wherebysaid spacer member may be inserted in place therebetween or removedtherefrom at will, said resilient members forming a slot whereby saidspacer member may be moved therealong as desired to adjust the positionthereof.

19. In a filing device,v the combination of a spacer member, a memberpivotally connected thereto and projecting therefrom, said prcjectingmember having an enlarged portion with adjacently disposed recessesproviding oppositely disposed shoulders, a supporting member for saidspacer member, oppositely disposed resilient members secured to saidsupporting member in spaced relation thereon, said resilient membersengaging said shoulders whereby said projecting member may be insertedin place therebetween or removed therefrom at will, said resilientmembers forming a slot whereby said spacer member may be movedtherealong as desired to adjust the position thereof, said spacer memberbeing provided with an opening immediately above said projecting memberto permit introduction of a finger when placing said spacer member inposition or removing the same'therefrom.

20. In a filing device, the combination of a plurality of spacermembers, a supporting member therefor, means secured to each of saidspacer members engaging said supporting member for holding said spacermembers in association with said supporting member, said means beingadjacent one another when in association with said supporting member,and means co-' operating with said adjacent means for locking saidspacer members together.

21. In a filing device, the combination of plurality of spacer members,a supporting member therefor, means pivotally secured to each of saidspacer members engaging said supporting member for holding said spacermembers-in association with said supporting member, said means beingadjacent one another when in association with said supporting member,said adjacent means interlocking together.

22. In a filing device, the combination of a spacer member, a lugmember, saidlug member including a part carried by said spacer memberand having a depending stud member, an unsymmetrical rotatable headportion rotatably secured to said stud member, and means for receivingsaid head portion when in a certain position and for engaging therewithwhen in another position for holding said spacer member in position.

23. In a filing device, the combination of a spacer member, a lugmember, said lug member including a part pivotally carried by saidspacer member and having a depending stud member, an unsymmetricalrotatable head portion rotat ably secured to said stud member, and meansfor receiving said head portion when in a certain position and forengaging therewith when in another position for holding said spacermember in position.

24. In a filingdevice, the combination of a spacer member, a lug member,said lug member including a part pivotally carried by said spacer memberand a depending stud member having an unsymmetrical head portion securedthereto, and means for receiving said head portion when in a certainposition and for engaging therewith when in another position for holdingsaid spacer member in position.

25. In a filing device, the combination of a spacer member, supportingmeans therefor, a

projecting element secured to said supporting means and having anenlarged head, a securing, element pivotally secured to said spacermember,

member in association with said projecting element, said spacer memberbeing provided with a cut-out portion ,for receiving a finger wherebysaid spacer member may be removed "from engaging relation with saidprojecting element.

DONALD A. BEELER}.

